Tara Lipinski

Skating, like all other sports, has an element of strategy.

The highlight of my career? The Olympics, of course.

When the rules of judging skating in international competition changed in 2004 with the goal of making judging more transparent, one of the consequences was the rewarding of skaters who attempt more challenging technical elements in the pursuit of ever more points.

Obviously, the competition at an Olympics, the emotions are running high, and the stakes are higher for these athletes, so it does bring an incredible, palpable excitement and emotion into the building.

It means a lot to be an Olympian. I'm obviously so grateful and feel so lucky I was able to achieve my dream of winning an Olympic gold medal.

It's very easy for me to watch a performance and just speak on it as I see it.

Whether you're an athlete or a student, having an adult who believes in you and can give you advice and wisdom that is coming from a place of experience is an incredible asset to help guide you through your young life.

Of course, you think back and wonder, 'What would prom have been like?' I didn't have those normal high school experiences. But I was pretty lucky: I had tons of friends at the rink.

I'm very proud that I was always able to be myself and didn't really care what people thought when I wanted bangs with my little Con-Air curling iron, and I wanted to wear glitter on my eyes and rings on every finger and charm necklaces that look like I was wearing baggage while I skated. But I do look back, and man, those '90s bangs.

Most athletes won't push a sport forward unless they have the incentive to do so - let alone when the structures of a sport have been set up to actually incentivize them to hold back.

I was so young when I was competing that I wasn't as focused on my diet. I was a kid - I ate a lot, and I worked out a lot. But as I get older, I definitely want to be healthier.

It used to be that I wanted to be taller. Once I made 5-foot-1, I was happy.